A man who took in an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star vowed Saturday that New York state’s decision to seize and euthanize the animal “won’t go unheard.”

Peanut the Squirrel's owner, Mark Longo, shares a tearful message on Instagram, after his pet squirrel and raccoon were euthanized by authorities. The internet-famous wildlife animals were confiscated by Department of Environmental Conservation officials,

The owners of Peanut the Squirrel have spoken out after the pet was seized and euthanized by authorities. Mark and Daniela Longo suspect someone jealous of their success may have called the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to have the animal removed from their sanctuary.